Editorial: Money from the dark side

Shortly after the primary elections earlier this month, The Topeka Capital-Journal advised its readers to do some research on the issues important to them and learn the candidates’ positions on those issues.

Recent events prompt us to repeat that advice today. And there’s a good chance we may find need to visit the subject again before the November general election.

Gov. Sam Brownback’s re-election campaign staff was up in arms Wednesday about ads that a “dark money” group had released attacking the governor’s record on public education and the economy. “Dark money” groups are third-party organizations that don’t have to report where their funding comes from because they are established to “educate” voters on issues rather than advocate for one candidate’s election.

Some organizations are very loose with the definition of “educate,” however. And a lot of their ads are designed more for distortion than education.

Republicans and Democrats alike benefit from “dark money” campaign ads. It is not a game played just by supporters of one political party.

Brownback is the one calling foul now, but his opponent, Democrat Paul Davis, no doubt will have opportunities before Election Day to take issue with “dark money” ads that address votes he cast as a legislator.

A story published Friday in The Topeka Capital-Journal reported on the American Association of Political Consultants’ “Pollie Awards.” The association’s categories for awards includes one for negative/contrast ads (attack ads). Two ads related to a Kansas Senate race in 2012 received awards for their creators.

Despite arguments to the contrary from an official with the political consultants association, it’s clear the awards recognize the work of those who create attack ads that do little to educate the voters.

Over the next 11 weeks, Kansans are going to be subjected to a lot of “dark money” ads from groups supporting Republican and Democrat candidates. The governor’s race is expected to be a tight one and such races attract a lot of attention from third-party organizations. If the race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Pat Roberts is anywhere near close, it too will draw its share of “dark money.”

Voters should not consider as gospel what they read and see in those ads. The candidates have records that can be researched, and they will be out and about campaigning. Pay attention to their records, what they say and the information in advertisements produced by their campaigns. A voter swayed by “dark money” is not an informed voter.